Recent content by Sparky

Yes, I've had them for a few years now. They're a little heavy, but once used to them you should be fine. Good support also. Not much of a break in, my first time wearing them was an ADK High Peaks 15-miler. Not bad with crampons either and fairly warm in winter. I've since got a set of...

Freeze-pops anyone? Cause you can't easily carry them in the summer :) Usually candy and power bars. Sometimes Gu, because you can warm it up in your pocket. For lightweight hiking. Otherwise, you can do many things with a stove.

Here's a link to their website with details on it: Mt Wash Auto Road -

I think the concept is good, but a little flawed. Wouldn't you want "bad" kids to be around "good" kids, in the hope that some of the good actions and thoughts would rub off? Also, don't you think the publicity of the tv show will hurt the kids when they try to get back into society?

You have some basic options: 1. Let the calus build up on your hands. I'm not a winter hiker, so the first few trips of the year rub my hands to a blister. 2. Apply something to the pole. With the contast pressure, and probably moisture from sweat - nothing will stick. 3. Apply something to...

I would say if you're looking at Skylight and Gray - head out from the Loj and over Marcy first. Last year I did a loop over Marcy, up Skylight, then out through via the Lake Arnold area. You could easily add Gray in, which would be about another 3/4 hour at most round trip. It's a long...

I like to have a few quarts of milk, followed by a few Cokes.

I'm not a spider-man (ha, ha). But it looks like a wolf spider. I think they go after bugs. But I've heard they could have a pretty bad sting for some humans (kind of like a bee sting).

Etiquette Very important, Etiquette

Why? If you have to ask...

Balance The key is balance (work, family, activites/hobbies and goals). It's different for everyone, you'll know when you find the right mix. :)

No that I'm trying to sell you on the Rio Chiba. It has shuffle play and an FM tuner built in.

I have a Rio Chiba It doesn't have a hard drive, songs are stored in flash memory. It runs on AAA batteries. Never had trouble with it freezing and battery life is not a problem, as you can carry a few extra AAA's. I get about 12-hours out of 1-AAA battery. It has a memory card expansion...

Gore-Tex XCR, hands down! Super water proof, yet breathable.

Trail food I usually carry a few MRE's(US Army meals ready to eat) or pour some Beefaroni (or other pasta dish) into a ziploc bag and a bunch of candy bars. I carry one Nalgene for water and one to mix Gatorade in (you can get packets of Gatorade mix that make 32oz - to give you the minerals...